The Widow's Mite

The Widow's Mite. Her entire story is told in four verses. Jesus was sitting by the treasury observing how the people were putting money in (Mark 12:41).

It's interesting that He was watching how and not who. And yet, it was this poor widow's offering that was significant.

As a widow she would have been dependent on the generosity of those landowners who were following the Mosaic law of Deuteronomy 24:19-21.

Somehow she came in possession of two mites - an insignificant sum of money. Did she first think of all the things she could purchase with that money? Did she consider hiding it away for a time of greater need? The Bible doesn't say. What we do know is that her ultimate decision was to bring it to the temple.

Photo taken by Amar P.

The Widow's Two Mites: Living Faith

"Take no thought of what you will eat or what you will drink or what you will put on ... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:25,33)."

I wonder ... had she been in the crowds at Mount Sinai? Had she heard these words from Jesus' mouth and been convicted? Whatever the case she became the personification of living faith.

This woman gave all she had, all that she had to live on (Mark 12:44). After those two coins dropped into the box, that was it. There was nothing else. There was no money in the bank. No credit card to use. No stocks or bonds to liquidate. And more than likely it meant that there was no food for that day unless there was a miracle.

The widow gave, not because she could, but because she wanted to. It was a sacrifice of love similar to that of a Man giving his life for a fallen world.

She was financially broken but without saying a word she became the voice of active faith. She didn't claim God's promise to provide "some day". She claimed it immediately by giving away all she had and choosing to believe that God would supply all her needs.

Personal Bible Study

Read the story of the Widow's Mite in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.

Ask the hard question: what does your giving attitude say about you?

Pray and ask God for the right attitude when giving.

Hi!

I'm Aminata Coote. Thanks for stopping by. I'm a wife, mother, writer and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. I invite you to walk with me on this journey to know God, know ourselves and run our race.